Firearm trigger lock

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a device that, when used properly, is useful for increasing the safety of firearms. In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a threaded aperture located in a rear position of a firearms&#39; trigger, toward the handle. The preferred location of the aperture is located close to an upper rear corner of an exposed surface of the trigger. Inserted into the threaded aperture is a complementarily threaded barrel screw. The screw has a special keyed head. The special key configuration of the head prevents curious children from inadvertently reversing the safety mechanism. In a preferred embodiment, the keyed head has a pentagonal shaped indentation and generally centered within the indentation is an outwardly projecting guide pin. When the screw has been inserted into the aperture, there are two function positions. In a use position, the screw is contained in the trigger and does not substantially project from the trigger. In a safe position, the screw has been advanced from the use position, by use of the special key, and projects from the trigger a sufficient amount to block substantial movement of the trigger. The screw blocks the movement of the trigger by projecting to a position adjacent the firearm frame. In another embodiment, the threaded aperture is located in the trigger guard at a position just below or adjacent a lower part of the trigger. In this location, when the screw is advanced to the safe position, a distal end, opposite the head, is position either immediately adjacent a part of the trigger or actually contacts a part of the trigger.

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of pending U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 09/322,111 filed on May 27, 1999.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of firearm safety devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to devices that help prevent accidental discharge of the firearm, such as a trigger lock.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Our society is experiencing an increase in criminal activity against individuals. This has spurred many individuals to keep firearms in their homes for personal protection. While a firearm, by itself, is not dangerous, when loaded there is a potential for accidental discharge. However, an unloaded weapon proves to be of little help when facing an attacker or intruder. Therefore, keeping home firearms loaded is the trend, despite the potential for accidents.

[0004] The increasing trend of keeping loaded firearms at home has probably resulted in an observed increase in the number of accidental weapon firings. Children playing with a weapon or adults who are unaware of the loaded condition of the firearms frequently cause these accidents. Thus, there is a need for devices that enhance the safety of loaded firearms and help reduce the frequency of accidental discharges. Moreover, current trends in legal liability are indicating an increased burden upon those who supply firearms to provide safer weapons.

[0005] The device of the present invention, which helps solve these and other problems, relates specifically to firearms with trigger and/or trigger guard. Typically, the trigger and trigger guard of the firearm are mounted beneath the barrel and firing mechanism

[0006] Almost all firearms are provided with some form of safety mechanism which, when activated, is designed to prevent accidental or unwanted discharge of the firearm as it is carried or handled. These safety mechanisms may comprise a safety notch in the hammer that is engaged by the sear (or some equivalent element) of the trigger when the hammer is in its safe position (out of contact with the firing pin), or it may comprise a separate member that can be placed between the hammer and the frame to prevent the hammer from striking the firing pin. Also, there are a variety of separate attachable safety mechanisms, frequently covers for the trigger area that prevent access to the trigger by a finger.

[0007] While the above devices address some of the problems of firearm safety, it is evident that there is a present and a continuing need for further developments in the field of firearm safety devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a firearm safety device that prevent the accidental movement of a trigger or trigger assembly.

[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide a firearm safety device that is integrally incorporated into a trigger of a firearm and prevents the accidental movement of the trigger.

[0010] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a firearm safety device that is integrally incorporated into a trigger guard and engages a trigger of a firearm and prevents the accidental movement of the trigger.

[0011] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an integrally incorporated firearm safety device that utilizes a key headed barrel screw located in a rear portion of a trigger.

[0012] It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an integrally incorporated firearm safety device that utilizes a key-headed barrel screw located in the trigger guard and that, when in a safe position engages a trigger of a firearm.

[0013] The novel features that are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its structure and its operation together with the additional object and advantages thereof will best be understood from the following description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words and phrases in the specification and claims be given the ordinary and accustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable art or arts. If any other meaning is intended, the specification will specifically state that a special meaning is being applied to a word or phrase. Likewise, the use of the words “function” or “means” in the Description of Preferred Embodiments is not intended to indicate a desire to invoke the special provision of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6 to define the invention. To the contrary, if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6, are sought to be invoked to define the invention(s), the claims will specifically state the phrases “means for” or “step for” and a function, without also reciting in such phrases any structure, material, or act in support of the function. Even when the claims recite a “means for” or “step for” performing a function, if they also recite any structure, material or acts in support of that means of step, then the intention is not to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6. Moreover, even if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6, are invoked to define the inventions, it is intended that the inventions not be limited only to the specific structure, material or acts that are described in the preferred embodiments, but in addition, include any and all structures, materials or acts that perform the claimed function, along with any and all known or later-developed equivalent structures, materials or acts for performing the claimed function.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014]FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating the position of the screw and aperture according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating the position of the screw and aperture according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 3 is a side view of one embodiment of the threaded screw of the present invention, the lower port of the illustration of this embodiment is a threaded blank insert;

[0017]FIG. 4 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the threaded screw of the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 5 is a view of the bottom of a trigger guard showing the screw contained within the insert located in the trigger guard;

[0019]FIG. 6 is a view of an embodiment of the keyed head of the screw of the present invention;

[0020]FIG. 7 is view of the end of a special key that fits the screw according to the present invention;

[0021]FIG. 8 is a side view of a regular key form for the special key of the present invention; and

[0022]FIG. 9 is a side view of a handcuff style key form according to the present invention.

[0023]FIG. 10 is a side view, partial cut-away, of a preferred threading structure and spring biasing system according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] The present invention is a device that, when used properly, is useful for increasing the safety of firearms. The present invention is an improvement of a firearm and is integrally incorporated in a weapon.

[0025] In one embodiment, the present invention 1 comprises a threaded aperture 5 located in a rear position 7 of a firearms' trigger 10, toward the handle 11. The preferred location of the aperture 5 is located close to an upper rear corner of an exposed surface 12 of the trigger 10. Inserted into the threaded aperture 5 is a complementarily threaded barrel screw 15. The barrel screw 15, according to the present invention, is preferably no longer than the thickness of the trigger 10.

[0026] A screw is a simple machine consisting essentially of a solid cylinder, usually of metal, around which an inclined plane winds spirally, either clockwise or counterclockwise. The ridge forming the inclined plane is called a thread 42; in cross section the ridge may be approximately triangular, square, or rounded. The vertical distance from any point on one thread to a corresponding point on the next successive thread is called the pitch. A thread can also be placed on the inner surface of a hollow cylinder. Two screws of the same pitch and diameter, one on the outer surface of a solid cylinder and the other on the inner surface of a hollow cylinder, can be arranged so that one may be driven spirally into the other, as in the common nut and bolt, or screw and insert assembly. The thread on the surface of the bolt is called the external, or male, screw; that on the inner surface of the nut, the internal, or female, screw.

[0027] The screw 15 has a special keyed head 20. The special key configuration of the head 20 prevents curious children from inadvertently reversing the safety mechanism. In a preferred embodiment, the keyed head 20 of the screw 15 has a pentagonal shaped indentation 21 and generally centered within the indentation is an outwardly projecting guide pin 22. The guide pin 22 serves at least two purposes. First, it guides a drive key 50 into proper position, and second, it prevents the use of a simple five-sided, or modified hex, driver from being inserted into the indentation. In order to advance or retreat the screw 15, the drive key 50, a special key, needs a complementarily matching head 55.

[0028] When the screw 15 has been inserted into the aperture 5, there are two useful positions. In a use position, the screw 15 is contained in the trigger 10 and does not substantially project from the trigger 10. In a safe position, the screw 15 has been advanced from the use position, by use of the special key 50, and projects from the trigger 10 a sufficient amount to block substantial movement of the trigger 10. The screw 15 blocks the movement of the trigger 10 by projecting to a position adjacent the firearm frame. Thus, when the trigger 10 starts to move about it's pivot point, the screw 15 immediately impacts the firearm frame thereby preventing any further movement of the trigger 10. In order to use the firearm after the screw 15 is in the safe position, the use merely retreats the screw 15 back into the aperture 5 using the special key 50.

[0029] In another embodiment, the threaded aperture 5 is located in the trigger guard 30 at a position just below or adjacent a lower part of the trigger 10. In this location, when the screw 15 is advanced to the safe position, a distal end 35, opposite the head 20, is position either immediately adjacent a part of the trigger 5 or actually contacts a part of the trigger 5. Thus, the screw 15, in this position, prevents accidental movement of the trigger. In this embodiment, while it is preferable that the screw 15 be no longer than the thickness of the trigger guard 30, it may be longer and still function. If the screw 15 were longer than the thickness of the trigger guard 30, in the use position, the screw 15 would project partially from the trigger guard 30.

[0030] In one embodiment, the threading 42 on the barrel screw 15 uses a regular or standard screw thread pitch, where pitch is the distance, measured parallel to its axis, between corresponding points on adjacent thread forms in the same axial plane and on the same side of the axis. However, in a more preferred embodiment, the threading 42 uses of a more severe pitch or incline of the screw threading. The most preferred threading pitch is a helical screw pattern with at least two separate threads having an angle ranging between eighty-five and five degrees of incline, but preferably is approximately 45 degrees. It has been found that this severe incline is necessary to advance the barrel 15 though the aperture 5 in a quick and timely manner, and is one that requires the fewest revolutions, or partial revolutions to advance barrel screw 15.

[0031] As can be seen in FIG. 10, one embodiment uses a male or external thread on the aperture 5 and an inset or female thread in the body of the barrel screw 15. A direction biasing structure 16, such as a spring washer, a spring, or other like forward urging devices is used to furnish tension in the raised screw, thereby preventing unwanted movement of the screw 15. The biasing structure 16 is generally placed between the head portion 20 of the screw 15 and a inwardly projecting tab 8 located on an inside perimeter 9 of the aperture 5.

[0032] One method of incorporating the present invention into an existing firearm is to drill a blank aperture and tap the aperture, thereby creating the screw threads. The screw 15 may then be inserted into the threaded aperture 5. Another method is to drill a blank aperture and press fitting, or securely inserting by other means such as screwing, a hollow blank or insert 40. The interior of the hollow blank 40 may be either pre-tapped or may be tapped after insertion into the blank aperture. Then, the screw 15 is inserted into the threaded aperture 5.

[0033] The preferred embodiment of the invention is described above in the Drawings and Description of Preferred Embodiments. While these descriptions directly describe the above embodiments, it is understood that those skilled in the art may conceive modifications and/or variations to the specific embodiments shown and described herein. Any such modifications or variations that fall within the purview of this description are intended to be included therein as well. Unless specifically noted, it is the intention of the inventor that the words and phrases in the specification and claims be given the ordinary and accustomed meanings to those of ordinary skill in the applicable art(s). The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment and best mode of the invention known to the applicant at the time of filing the application has been presented and is intended for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and many modifications and variations are possible in the light of the above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application and to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A firearm safety device comprising a firearm with an exposed trigger and a trigger guard, the trigger guard further comprising a threaded aperture located in a position adjacent a part of the trigger and having a complementarily threaded screw contained therein, the threading of the screw and aperture having a thread incline greater than five degrees and less than eighty-five degrees, where when the threaded screw is projected to about the exposed trigger, it prevent substantial movement of the exposed trigger.
 2. The firearm safety device of claim 1 wherein the thread incline is approximately forty-five degrees.
 3. The firearm safety device of claim 2 wherein the screw further includes a keyed head.
 4. The firearm safety device of claim 3 wherein the keyed head is a pentagonal indentation with an outwardly projecting, generally centered, guide pin.
 5. A firearm safety device comprising a firearm with a threaded aperture located in a trigger guard, in combination with a complementarily threaded screw, said screw sized to rotationally engage the threaded aperture, said aperture located in a position that, when the threaded screw projects beyond the aperture, the screw prevents substantial movement of the trigger, further, the threading of the screw and aperture has a thread incline greater than five degrees and less than eighty-five degrees.
 6. The firearm safety device of claim 5 wherein the thread incline is approximately forty-five degrees.
 7. The firearm safety device of claim 6 where the screw further includes a keyed head.
 8. The firearm safety device of claim 7 wherein the keyed head is a pentagonal indentation with an outwardly projecting, generally centered, guide pin. 